The night in Hulmatu is dry and cold.
Song Heping leaned against the cold metal chair back, eyes closed, but his mind was racing at full speed.
On the screen, the progress bar for data interfacing with Simon had long disappeared.
The encrypted data package that integrated Colonel Kote's many "small moves" behind the scenes of the Pentagon and sensitive information on the brink of war crimes was now, like a virus's spore, being fragmented, re-encrypted, and silently infiltrating the law-fortress-like servers in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands through anonymous nodes around the world.
This was his "dead man's switch."
If a fully armed B-2 or Predator drone bombed the soil of Hulmatu, this switch would be activated.
Pandora's box would explode open in the cyberspace; though it might not shake the foundation of the United States, it would definitely bring disgrace to Kote and his group, leaving the Pentagon in a mess and notorious in international opinion.
"Deterrence requires more than just the resolve for mutual destruction..."
Song Heping opened his eyes, a cold light flashing, "They must be made to understand that to touch me, Song Heping, would cost not just a few shadowy documents, but an earthquake in the entire Northwest Illinois, even a collapse on the Middle East chessboard!"
He needed to build a multidimensional defense system, a "triple lock" that would make the Americans think twice before acting rashly.
"Go, call Commander Samir!"
He went to the door and instructed the guard.
Soon, Samir appeared in the command post.
"Boss, what's the matter this late?"
The late-night summon made Samir sure that this was no simple matter.
"You're familiar with the Northwest region, right?" Song Heping asked.
"Of course!" Samir quickly said, "I was born and raised here, and have been active here for years. Most of the soldiers are locals, so of course familiar..."
He quickly added, "Boss, you're asking because..."
"Which tribe in the Hulmatu region is the most powerful?"
"The tribe controlled by the Sadir family. They have an alliance that has lasted for thousands of years and is deeply rooted. Even the 1515 Armed has to show them respect, and even when the Americans and the government army occupied here, they had to give them benefits to appease these ancient families."
Samir quickly provided the answer to prove that he was truly familiar with the area.
"Good."
Song Heping stood up, walked to a nearby table, took out paper and pen, and quickly penned a list, speaking as he wrote:
"I need you to do something, set off tonight, and go see the elder of the Sadir family, can you do it?"
"Their elder doesn't easily meet outsiders... especially in such chaotic times..."
Samir seemed a bit hesitant.
Song Heping finished the list, walked over to Samir, and handed it to him: "These are my gifts, see if they can impress the elder of the Sadir family."
Samir glanced at the list, his eyes widened: "They can..."
The list included not just weapons but also medicine, and of course, US dollars.
These were the most precious things in chaotic times.
"If so, then do it. Time is tight." Song Heping said, "I need you to win over the Sadir family and their alliance to fully support us."
"Alright..."
With the list in hand, Samir felt more confident.
In Northwest Illinois, there's no tribe that can't be bought.
If they can't be bought, it's because the price isn't high enough.
"Then do it immediately, don't waste time here."
Song Heping waved his hand, urging him, "Remember, I want this done beautifully, and after it's done, appropriately let the word out to create momentum, making all the tribes pledge their support for me."
"No problem! I'll definitely persuade him!"
Samir dared not delay.
When Song Heping said it was urgent, it must be truly urgent.
The boss's judgment and decisions were always right.
This loyalty, Samir absolutely possessed.
Soon, he and his contacts familiar with the Sadir tribe took the heavy "sincerity" and, under the cover of darkness, stealthily infiltrated the most influential tribal settlement around Titrick.
Two hours later, a few SUVs drove near a village of the most powerful Al-Sadir tribe in Northwest Illinois.
The militia lurking in the dark emerged and surrounded the vehicles.
Samir got out of the car, raised his hands, and shouted: "I am here to see your elder! The liaison has already informed him, he is waiting to meet me!"
The leading militia exchanged glances.
They had already been notified that a mysterious guest would be visiting the elder tonight.
What followed was a series of formalities—searching, checking, and then bringing out a black cloth band demanding Samir to blindfold himself...
The tent of Abdul Sadir, the highest leader and elder of the Sadir tribe, was hidden deep in a dried-up river valley, surrounded by dozens of tribal armed personnel carrying old rifles.